Vedic Science International Multidisciplinary Peer-reviewed Journal 

The articles below are the official digital versions of peer-reviewed papers from the print edition of the Vedic Science Journal.

Article  Information

Journal: Vedic Science
Volume: 28 | Issue: 2 | Year: 2026
Pages: 88–96
DOI:  https://doi.org/10.66718/vsj.v28.i2.06    
Received: 30 April. 2026
Accepted: 26 May, 2025
Published: 30 June, 2025

The Heaven, The Earth And The Tortoise

Dr B Rambilass (PhD. Sanskrit), Ex Head of Department – Sanskrit: University of Durban-Westville, Academic Director Hindi Shiksha Sangh (S.A.), Founder & Director: Westville Hindu School; Director – School of Vedic Studies (South Africa), President Emeritus – Arya Samaj South Africa, 87 Ha

Abstract

Many of the myths that constitute the Purāņas have their origins in earlier Vedic literature viz. the Saṃhitās and the Brāhmaṇas. The incarnations or avatāras of Vişṇu are one of the main themes of the Purāņas. This paper looks briefly at the concept of “avatāra” and examines some of the myths of the Purāņas which have their origin in Vedic literature. It pays particular attention to the “kūrmāvatāra” or tortoise incarnation. While the source of this myth has been commonly ascribed to the Śatapatha Brāhmana, this paper suggests that the myth has its roots in-the Ŗgveda Saṃhita where the description of the heaven and earth as world-bowls, in all likelihood, inspired the form of the “kūrmāvatāra”

Keywords

Kūrmāvatāra; Tortoise Incarnation; Viṣṇu; Vedic literature; Purāṇas; Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa; Ṛgveda Saṃhitā; Theriomorphism; Camū; world-bowls; Dhiṣaṇā; Kapāla; Dyāvāpṛthivī; heaven and earth; Avatāra; incarnation; Mythological origins; Cosmology in Vedic literature; Anthropomorphism vs. theriomorphism

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How to cite this article

Rambilass, B.  (2026). The Heaven, The Earth And The Tortoise. Vedic Science, 2026 (2), 88–96. ISSN: 0975-0312. DOI: https://doi.org/10.66718/vsj.v28.i2.06